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^UtL HARRY £s^^ 

Or, From ^ 

WEST POINT 

TO 

'"'^ SOfiRENOER 0V3 



HISTORICAL AND MILITARY DRAMA WITH ACCOM- 
PANYING TABLEAUX, IN SIX ACTS. 

y 

By will. T. wither. 




NORWALK, OHIO: 
Chronicle Steam Printing Establishment, 

II 11 . 1877. JL 



COL. HARRY ESTES, 

Or, From 

V^EST POINT 

TO 

THE SURRENDER OF LEE. 



HISTORICAL AND MILITARY DRAMA WITH ACCOM- 
PANYING TABLEAUX, 

IIV SIX JLOTS. 
By will. T. WITMER. 



Notice. — This play has been duly qopyrighted, and 
&\Qx-y person is cautioned, under the penalties of the law, 
not to present it without the written consent of the man- 
ager. W. T. WiTMER, Manager. 



I Entered according- to Act of Congress in tlie year 1877, by W. T. 
Witmer, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



k&U^'^ 



„ -/ . f 



NORWALK, OHIO: 

Chronicle Steam Printing Establishment, 

1877. 






To Capt. Henry G. Stahl, of the 
3d O. V. C, a soldier, gentleman and 
scholar, this drama is respectfully ded- 
icated by The Author. 



TMP92-007651 



CAST OF CHARACTERS. 



HARRy ESTES, Caaet at West Point, afterward Lieutenant- 
Colonel U. S. Volunteers. 

CHARLES HOWE, Cadet at West Point, afterward Colonel C. S. 
Army. 

JONATHAN BUNKER, Sergeant U. S. Volunteers. 

GENERAL CORSE, U. S. Volunteers. 

MAJOR GRAVES, Cadet at West Point, afterward Major C. S. A. 

CAPTAIN HARKNESS, Quartermaster U. S. Volunteers. 

COLONEL ANDREWS, Cadet West Point, afterward Col. U. S. A 

CAPTAIN LYKE, Commandant and U. S. Volunteer. 

SQUIRE DUNHAM, Justice of Peace at 

BELL, Cadet West Point, afterward Signal Officer. 

FOSTER, Cadet West Point, afterw ard Capt. U. S. Volunteers. 

jm^i Contrabands. 

TOMMY HALE, Citizen and Orderly U. S. Army. 

GENERAL SHERMAN,^ .j o Armv. 
GENERAL SLOCUM, ^ ^J- '^-^^"'^• 

CAPTAIN COOKE, Captain C. S. Army. 

Soldiers, Officers, Citizens, etc. 

LOTTIE HOWE, Sister to Charles Howe. 

MAY FULLER, friend of Lottie. 

MARIAR BUNKER, wife of Jonathan Bunker. 

MRS. DUNHAM, wife of Squire Dunham. 



COSTUMES. 



Harry ESTES. Fiist dress, Captain, cadet gray uniform; second 

dress, Lieutenant-Colonel U. S. Volunteers. 
Charles Howe. First dress, cadet uniform; second dress, Col. 

C. S. Army. 
.Jonathan Bunker. First dress, long linen coat, no rest, dark 

pants, inside his boots, old sword; second dress, Sergeant 

U. S. Army. 
General Corse. General U. S. Army. 

Major Graves. First dress, cadet; second dress. Major C. S. A. 
Captain Cooke, Captain C. S. A. 
Captain Harkness. Captain U. S. A. 

Colonel Andrews. First dress, cadet; second dress, Col. U. S. A. 
Captain Lyke. U. S. Volunteers. 
Squire Dunham. Citizen's dress. 

Foster,! ^"'^^ tlress, cadet; second dress, Officers U. S. A. 
Tommy Hale. First dress, citizen; second dress, Orderly, U.S.A. 
Sam. Gray wig, old clothes. 

Jim. Black wig; first, old citizen's clothes; second, old soldier's 
overcoat and cap. 

General Sherman,/ r',..,„,.«i>^ u^itr.,.^ 
General Slocum, 1 General's Uniform. 

Lottie Howe. First dress, elegant afternoon dress; second 
dress, very plain. 



May Fuller, ) ^ , . 

Mariar Bunker,! very plain. 

Mrs. Dunham. Old lady's dress. 



COLONEL HARRY E8TES. 



ACT I. 

Scene I. 
Interior of Cadet Barracks at West Point— 2\ible vnth pen, 

ink, and paper, and tioo chairs, r. Cadets Foster and 

Andrews enter at c. door, and prepare for dress parade. 

Foster. In a military point of view, perhaps Anderson 
did right in abandonino: Moultrie, but I tell you, Andrews, 
it will have a bad effect. 

Andreios. Why, how is that ? 

Foster. It will embolden these Southerners and looTi 
very much like weakness on the part of the Government. 
It's very evident that old Andrew Jackson is not Presi- 
dent. The fact is, Andrews, any man who lives to be 
sixty-five years of age and does not marry a wife, is not 
fit to be President of the United States any way. 

Andrews. Why, Foster, Anderson could not have held 
Moultrie twelve hours if attacked from the rear; the for- 
tification was never intended to stand an attack from the 
land, and /think Anderson used good judgment in aban- 
doning the fort. 

Fos. Well, I tell you the only way to treat an incipient 
rebellion is to show a bold front, and this bluster will 
soon cease. 

And. There's w^here you make a mistake, Ed; these 
Southern people mean just what they say. You heard 
what Peagrara and Fitz-Lee said at the riding-hall yes- 
terday? 

Fos. Yes, and if we had a lOyal officer in command 



6 COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 

here, they would have been dismissed from the academy 
before nio:ht. 

And. [StirprisecL] Do you doubt the Superintendent's 
loyalty? 

Fos. [Laughing.] No, I don't doubt his loyalty, for he 
never had any; if he has, it is of that milk-and-water kind 
they all have. 

And. They! whom do you mean by they? 

Fos. Why, every officer, almost without exception, in 
the army of Southern birth. 

And. You are wrong, Foster. 1 am sure, as I said be- 
fore, these excited people have resolved to tight, but I 
have a higher opinion of those who have sworn to defend 
the flag. 

Fos. They are all alike, all alike. Some of them would 
like to be loyal no doubt, but this foolish idea of State 
allegiance will prove too much for them, and they will 
all go. 

And. What will the Government do with half its army 
gone? 

Fos. Do? I'll tell you what it will do; a Government 
like ours, to be saved from rebellion, must save itself. 
Our little army of 18,000 to 20,000 men may serve as a 
nucleus, but let Anderson be compelled to strike the old 
flag to Beauregard, and you will see an army springing 
into life, as if by magic. Yes, sir, from the shop, the count- 
ing-room, the pulpit, and the plow, you will see an army 
gathered; and if this Government can be saved, they v^ill 
save it. {Enter Cadet Capt. Estes c. door, as if qoing to 
dress parade.) Estes, Andrews was just intimating to me 
that the Superintendent favors the South in this movement. 

Estes. * * * Well, 1 believe he does. 

Fos. I was just saying so, and to prove it, the band has 
not played a single national air at parade, since these 
troubles commenced. 

Estes. * * * A national air. 

Fos. Yes, that is all very well, but how. 

Estes. * * * See that Reming gets it. 

/ 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 7 

Both. Agreed. 

Fos. [Sits at table and ivrites, rexidinq aloud as he ivrites.] 
"Head-quarters Corps Cadets, 
"U. S. Military Academy% West-Point, 
"April 14th, 1861 

"The band ati ached to this corps is hereby directed to 
play this evening—" 

What will we have, boys — Star Spangled Banner? 

Estes. * * * Return to barracks. 

Fos. [Finishes b>/ writing and reading.'] "Bandmaster 
Reining is charged with the execution oi" this order. By 
order of " [Rising.] There, Estes, now sign it. 

Estes. [Signs it.] There she is. 

And. [Taking it.] If I had not seen you write it, I 
would have sworn the Superintendent wrote it himself. 

Estes. * * * Call will beat ofl" very soon. 

[Exit Andrews c. 

Fos. What do you think about Anderson abandoning 
Moultrie, Estes? 

Estes. It was a good move. 

Enter Graves and Howe with muskets, full dress, for 
parade. 

Fos. Well, if I had been in his place I should have staid 
there till they shelled me out any way. This talk is all 
very well, but when they come to tire on the old flag, that 
is another matter. 

Graves. What is? 

Fos. I say the South will hesitate a long time before 
they will do that. I want you to understand, gentlemen, 
that means war. 

Howe. And if necessary to preserve our rights, we 
mean war every time. 

Estes. * * * To desert his flag? 

Graves. Estes, the South by nature are an impulsive 
people, and the outrages inflicted upon us for the past ten 
years has goaded us up to so high a pitch that if to secure 
our rights, we are obliged to inaugurate a war, we will 
not shrink from the responsibility. 



8 COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 

Fos. Those are pretty bold words for a United States 
cadet. 

Graves. I have stated what, in ray opinion, they will 
do. I did not say I approve it. 

Ilowe. Well, 1 say I approve it. [To Graves.] And 
any Georgian who hesitates to say so is no better than a 
Massachusetts abolitionist. 

Graves. I expressed no opinion whatever. If the worst 
comes to the w^orst, I may be governed by the require- 
ments of my State. 

Estes. * * * Mounted on alligators. 
Enter Andrews c. door. 

Howe. [Angrihj.] You can test my courage here and 
now. if you wish. 

Estes. * * * But it is lime for me to go. 

[Exit Estes c. door. 

Hoioe. You Northern men darsen't tight! you are 
cowards; you haven't got any blood in your ears. 

Foster and Andrews approach him. 

Both. What's that. 

Graves. [Interposing.] Howe, you allow your passion 
to run away with your judgment and common sense. 

Hoioe. I will allow no man to insult me, sir, and not 
resent it. 

And. Estes did not mean to insult you, man. 

Graves. No; that pretty sister of yours he is in love 
with, shields you from any such attempt on his part, 1 
assure you. 

Hoioe. That is nothing but a West Point flirtation. If 
my sister should fall in love and marry a Yankee before 
this affair is settled, I should disown her, and so would her 
whole family. 

Fos. I believe she loves him. 

Graves. Of course she loves him; she pretends she 
came here to witness the examination, but she came on 
purpose to see him. I tell you she's gone on Estes. 

And. Yes, and he loves her too; the only mark of de- 
merit standing against him is for being absent after taps 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 9 

last m\irht; and you know all about that, Howe, yourself. 
Hoivc. It's all a flirtation in my opinion. 
And. Well, when as strict a soldier as he takes such 
chances for a woman, make up your mind it's a pretty 
serious flirtation. 

[Call IS heat outside for dress-parade— all take muskets 
and exit, c. door.] 

[Clear stage— Change.] 



Scene II. 

Plain at West Point; Ladies and Gentlemen standing at R. 2 E.,- 
Band plays '■'■Hail Columhia,^^ off Stage at L. 3 E.; Company of Ca- 
dets enter at R. 1 E.. in commdna of estes, cross the stage', file left 
up the stage, fie left eicross the stage at upper entrance and halt'' 
dress as if formi7ig the right Company of Battalion; Ba?id ceases to 
play; Orders are all given from off left of stage, as if the line ex- 
tended a/i.vay off the stage; Band beats off, playing ''''Star Spangled 
Banner;'''' Parade is dismissed, and the Sergeant [Graves] closes 
the ranks; Band plays ^'■Yankee Doodle;'''' Howe a;t(^ three others 
step out of the raiiks. 

Enter Estes /rowi l. 2 e. 
Estes. * * What does this mean? 
Howe. It means this! I never will march again to that 
damned Yankee tune. 
Estes. Do you refuse? 
Howe. Yes; I'll be dismissed first. 
Estes. * ^- Right face! forward march. 

[Sergeant marches them off the stage. 
[Lottie comes to the front and the other ladies and gen- 
tlemen go off at R. 4 e.] 
Lottie. Harry! [Estes ^«Z^s.J I have witnessed this 
act of insubordination on the part of my brother, and 1 am 
pained to see it. 
Estes. * * as much pained as I am, Lottie. 
Lottie. I hope you do not intend to put your threat into 
execution. Remember he has the quick temper peculiar 
to all our people, and regrets a hasty action as soon as 
committed. Harry, he is my brother. 



10 COLONEL HARIIY ESTES. 

Estes. * * Which is impossible. 

Lottie. [Surprised.] What! would you disgrace him, 
myself, and our lamily bv a dismissal Irom the academy? 

Estes. * * His fault, not mine. 

Lottie. Remember, too, we are Georgians, and you do 
not comprehend how we are provoked by you Northern 
people. 

Estes. * * Entertain such feelings toward us. 

Lottie. Is it natural we should like a people who in- 
augurate expeditions like John Brown's, and send thera 
among us to incite our slaves to murder and deeds far 
worse? 

Estes. * * No business here at West Point. 

Lottie. Were the South the aggressors, and striving 
like you, you would think dift'erently then. 

Estes. Then would I too be wrong. 

Lottie. You certainly do not sympathize with the feel- 
ing which is making such progress in the North? 

Estes. * ■* Monster secession. 

Lottie. Then would you lend your courage and your 
sword to subjugate my people? 

Estes. * * Belongs to my country. 

Lottie. [Lidignant.] Is this the love you bear us? Have 
all your protestations come to this, that plighting me your 
love and vowing you would be to me a life's protector, 
you would do all this? 

Estes. You do not understand 

Lottie. [Angrilij.] Yes, I do, sir; I understand perfect- 
ly. You would be the husband who would vow before 
high heaven to be a woman's protector, and then at the 
bidding of a lot of fanatical abolitionists, wantonly slay 
her people. 

Estes. * * Between ray duty and ray love for you. 

Lottie. I believed you loved me; believing which, to 
you I gave my heart, for you were dearer to me than all 
the w^orld besides. Our vows are pledged, requiring naught 
but heaven's approval to make us man and wife. My 
world 8 given and I should not ask to make it otherwise ; 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 11 

but to be the wife of him who would invade our home and 
murder my people — never. 

Estes. * * Turn my back upon the flag. 

Lottie. Sir, 1 accept your generous offer, and will never 
be the wife of my people's executioner. 

Estes. * * Regretted alike by all. 

Lottie. We do not ask your sympathy, sir: we have 
learned to hate you, and will have a government of our 
own. 

Estes. * * Henceforth our paths lie wide apart. 

Lottie. My path, sir, leads me towards my Southern 
home; It may be one beset with danger, privation and 
woe. I am a Southern woman, and I shall not hesitate to 
take it. 

Estes. * * If I have loved you 

Lottie. [Withdrawing her hand.] You never loved me. 

Estes. * * I can not prove a traitor to my country. 

Lottie. Then are we to be strangers? 

Estes. * * Forsake the old flag, [hesitatingly] yes. 

Loitie. Then, sir, farewell I 

Estes. Farewell! farewell! 

[Exit Lottie uj) the stage— exit Estes r. 3 e. 

[Change.] 



Scene IIL 

Same as Scene I. 

Enter Cadets Andrew^s and Foster, c. door, froyn parade, 

rdrnoving hats, muskets, etc. 

Fos. I tell you, Andrews, this affair of Estes and Howe 
is going to make trouble. 

Ajid. Well, so it should. Those fellows ought to be 
drummed oft' the Point. 

Fos. Do you believe Estes will report them? 

And. Why, of course he will; he has got to do it, and 
unless the Superintendent stands by them, they will be 
dismissed sure. [Enter other cadets without arms.] Let's 
have a song. 



12 COLONEL HARRY ESTESi 

Enter Estes c. door. 

Estes. * * headquarters, jzentlemen. 

And. [Aside.] I told you he vvouid report them. 

Estes. * * Have reached a climax at Charleston, 

Fos. What of it? Ci»me, let's have the song. Come, 
some one start her. 
[Thej/ sing '•'■Benny Havens Oh'''' — Cheers are heard outside. 

Estes. What's that for. [Enter Bell, c. door.] What 
is that cheering for, Bell ? 

Bell. I hurried over to tell you, Sumpter has fallen — has 
surrendered to Beauregard. Anderson has arrived in New 
York, and the old flag has been struck to a band of traitors. 
Howe and the Southern Cadets have got together at Com- 
pany D.'s barracks and are cheering for Beauregard and 
the Palmetto flag. 

Estes. Boys, will you stand that? 

All. No, no, no! 

Fos. Let's rally all the men that are true blue, and 
clean them out. 

Estes. Come on. 

Bell. Estes, hold on ; Howe is the head devil over there, 
and he swears he will whip you the first time he sees you 
for reporting him. 

Estes. * * Does that make? Come on. 

[All exit c. door. 
[Change.] 

Sonne IV. 

Company D.^s Barrack\s—E.owF. and others cheering and 
singing '''-Bonnie Blue Flag''''— Guard j^acing his beat- 
Enter Estes and party, n. 1 e. 
Bell. Three cheers for the old flag and an undivided 

nationality. [They cheer. 

Howe. Three cheers for Beauregard and the Southern 

Confederacy. [They cheer. 

Bell. Any man who wears the uniform of a United 

States Cadet and cheers for that traitor is a traitor himself. 
Howe. Whom do you call a traitor? 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 13 

Bell. Any man who turns his back upon his country. 

Estes. * * Clean them out. 
I'EsTJS.s'' party start to attack— the guard shouts, '■'■Turn out 

the guarcV— guard turns out, and enter Commandant Lyke. 

Lyke. What does this mean? A riot at "West Point. 

Bell. It means this, sir, that this academy contains 
young men who would use its teachings to destroy this 
Government they have sworn to defend. 

Lyke. Every one of you go to your quarters. [They dis- 
perse — guard is dismissed.] This is shameful. [Exit l. 2 e. 
[Howe and Estes approach each other, folhnved by a 
feio others.] 

Howe. So you reported me, did you? [Estes turns as 
to go aivay.] You Yankee scoundrel! [Strikes him and 
knocks him against the loalL] Now go and report me for 
that. 

[Estes rushes toiimrd Howe — the others separate them.] 

Estes. * * Able to whip me. 

Howe. That is just what I am. 

Estes. "^ * Stand back and give us a fair show. 
Estes rushes on Howe, and they Jight— finally Estes gets 

Howe down, and the curtain falls on Estes standing over 

Howe successful — Tableaux, Secession, on platform in 

background. 

Curtain. 



ACT n. 

Scene I. 

Exterior Village Hall at ; Men assemMe.d preparatory to a 

war meeting; Table on lawn at K. U. E. with pen, ink and 
paper; Chair for President; Flag hanging oxer desk; Boys talk- 
ing to each other: ^«#er Jonathan Bunker l. 2 e. %oith old sword. 
Jonathan. * * Got to come out and fight. 
Tom Hale. Bully for Jonathan. 
Jon. * * I'm here for the business. 
Hale. Yes, I see, Jonathan, you've brought yoursw^ord 

along with you. 



14 COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 

Jon. * * Fit with in the Revolution. 

Hale. [Taking it.] Oh! let's see it. 

[Others croivd around. 

Jon. * * She's here! 

Hale. [Taking it.] Oh ! hold on, Jonathan, hold on ! this 
is too modern a sword to be Revolutionary. I see it is 
marked 1812; how's that. 

Jon. * * Oh, she's Revolutionary. 

Hale. Well, Jonathan, that's a pretty jfood story and 
you tell it pretty well, but you can't choke me on it. 

[They all laugh. 

Jon. * * Oh, she's here. 

[Orchestra plays some National air — Enter Squire 
Dunham and Estes— Estes, as a lieutenant-colonel 
loith his arm in a slirig.] 

Dunham. [Taking the chair.] Gentlemen, allow me to 
introduce to you Lieutenant-Colonel Estes. 

Hale. Three cheers for Colonel Estes. [Cheers. 

Dun. Gentlemen, he has authority from the Goverr- 
raent to raise a reiriment and has come to his native town, 
where I hope we will not be backward in contributing our 
proportion of men. You all knew him before he went to 
West Point. He comes of good patriotic parents; his 
father was killed at Monterey, after which 1 adopted 
Harry, and gave him a West Point education. When the 
first call was made for troops, he was one of the first lo 
answer. He is a true soldier, and was wounded at the 
first battle of Bull Run. 

All. Speech! speech! speech! 

Estes. * * Government like ours, we have but to— 

Jon. * * My name is Jonathan Bunker, [brings 
his sword down on the floor ^] and I'm here. 

[Estes shakes his hand, laughingly. 

Estes. * * Want to enlist as a soldier. 

Jon. * * Be a sojer agin in two minutes. 

Dun. Mr. Bunker, while we admire your patriotism, 
we fear you are almost too old a man to endure the fatigue 
of a soldier's life. 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 15 

Jos. * * So I took down the old critter, [swings 
sword around] and we're here. 

Estes. * * Really come down to enlist. 

jotir. * * These seceshers is licked anyhow. 

Dun. * * Suppose you postpone the matter till 
to-morrow. 

Jon. * 



Then mv name aint Jonathan Bunker. 



Estes. * * As lonj? as we can. 

jgn. * * I don't want you to git 'em mixed. 

Estes. * * You are corporal. 

Dun. Gentlemen, I propose three cheers for Corporal 

Bunker, the first volunteer from the village of 

[Cheers. 
Jon. * * Come up, fellows, come up, 

[Hale starts and hoys follow. 
Hale. Bovs, there is not one of you here that has more 
to see to at home than I have. Remember, I am the only 
man there; but boys, our country is in danger, and will 
we stay at home for the few dollars and cents we may 
save by so doing, and allow the old flag to trampled in the 
dust by a band of rebels? Not I, never. Mother and sis- 
ter Anna can manage pretty well, and from now on, until 
this rebellion is crushed they must do the best they can. 
1 follow Jonathan Bunk-er, and I hope none of you will 
stand back. [Hale goes up and signs roll— hoys hesitate. 
Estes. * * There will be no hesitency. 

[Boys cheer Hale, and all crowd around to sign. 
Jon. * * We'd been ready for 'em. 
Votpo * * I will administer the oath. 
^^^^^- [Drills Squad. 

Este7. Well, boys, hold up your right hands and I will 
administer the oath. 

[Curtain falls on Estes administering the oath. 
Scene II. 
Exterior of Jonathan Bunker's house— Small stone at r. 
—Door at c— Bench each side— Enter Mariar Bunkep 

c. door. 

Mariar. 'Pears to me Jonathan ought to got home long 



16 COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 

ago. That's the great trouble with him: when he goes to 
town, he never knows when to come back. I shouldn't 
wonder if he'd 



Jon. * * I'm a reg'lar- 



[Stops on seeing Mariar, and tries to appear sober.] 

Mariar. [Angrilij.] Jonathan, I'm ashamed of you. I 
havn't seen you tight before since the Fourth of July. 

Jon. * * Mrs. Corporal Bunker. 

Mariar. Well, that's some excuse, [pleased]; for as 
much as I hate rum, I'd rather see you drunk and true 
blue, than sober and a traitor, like old Deacon Wise. 

Jon. * * [Supports himself against the cottage and 
comes to a carry.] And I'm here. 

Mariar. [Angrily.] Yes, 1 should say you was here- 

Jon. * * I'll resign and won't go. 

Mariar. AVell, when are you going? 

Jo7i. * * Goin' to light. Hooray. 

Mariar. Come, Jonathan, let's go in; the neighbors 
will see you. 

Jon. * * Hoora for the war! hoora, Mariar, hoora. 

Mariar. Come, Jonathan, let's go in. 

[Jonathan slarts to go — Bemrns and tools on the hen'h, 
binder the bench, and on the c/round.] 

Moriar. [As if afraid he woald be se^n,.] Come, Jona- 
than, Come. 

Jon. Mariar have you seen may ht? 

Mariar. Yes, you old fool; its on your sword. 

Jon. * * I meant my other hat. 

Mariar. Why, you aint got any other one. 

[Mariar goes and sits on bench at n. of door. 

Jon. * * Why don't you take it?. 

Mariar. Why, I didn't want it- Jonathan. 

Jon. * * If I'd known that, I wouldn't got oiT. 

Mariar. [Looling offi.. 1 e.J Come, there comes Squire 
Dunham. [E.c't into Cocage. 

Dan. [Enter l. 1 e.] Why, Jonathan, you beat me. 

Jon. * * To see you a little sprung. 

Dun. Oh, I guess you are mistaken, Jonathan. 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 17 

Jon. * * You've been bathing for the rheumatiz. 

Dun. [Going.] Well, Jonathan, I hope you will come 
back all right. 

Jon. * * I'm gettin' ready now to go off. Good- 
by Squire. [Shakes his hand violentlfj, and lohen he lets go 
falls on his hands.] 

Dim. AVhy, Jonathan, you are most t-o demonstrative, 
[c/oing toward him,. Let me help you. 

Jon. Something wrong here. [Discovers the door way 
on the other side of the door— Laughs to himself.] 

Mariar. [From inside, calling.] Jonathan I Jonathan! 

Jon. Hoora for the war! Iloora! [Enter door.] 
Curtain. 



ACT III. 
Scene I. 

Interior of residence at Borne, Ga.—Sam, a contraband, ar- 
ranging fire i7i fireplace r., with wood, &c., singing. 
Sam. "Massa run, ha! ha! 

De darkey stay, ho! ho! 
It must be now de Kingdom's comin'. 
And de year of jubalo!" 
Enter General Corse c. door, booted and spurred — The rat- 
tling of the saber frightens Sam awe? he falls over the wood. 
De Lord lub you, massa, how you skeered me. I knowed 
you was a comin', kase some ob de critter company was 
here, and dey tole de niggers to look sharp; dat Massa 
Linkum's sogers had gained de day, and de great Captain 
of de companies he'd be heah; and now you'se come, 
massa, I hopes you'll make yourself to home. De tire 
is burnin, and de hoe-cake 's bakin' on de board; supper'II 
be ready in a minute, and dis yeah chile is de happiest 
nigger in de Souf. 

Corse. That's all right, uncle, but hurry up the supper 
[Sam exits, singing, r 2 e.— Corse removing his saber.' 



18 COLONEL HARItY ESTES. 

Well, I declare, here are headquarters all arrani?ed, and 
a mighty comfortable ])lace too, after a hard day's fiirht. 
[Throws himself on the sofa.] None but a poor slave of the 
South would have prepared a reception like this for a 
Northern soldier. [Looking around.] I wonder where the 
old reb has gone anyway, that owns this establishment. 
[Knocks at door l. 2 k.] Come in. 

Estes. [Enter l. 2 e., saluting.] What orders. General? 

Covse. Are the troops all in camp? 

Estes. Yes, General. 

Corse. Plenty of wood and water? 

Estes. Yes, General. 

Corse. How about forage? 

Estes. Very little, General. 

Corse. How is that? I saw plenty at the white house 
with the porch in front, we passed just after the battle. 

[Rising. 

Estes. * * Didn't get any there. 

Corse. Why? Who lives there— anybody with a safe- 
guard? 

Estes. * * A beautiful face. 

Corse. Ah! I see; and her beauty stands sentinel over 
her forage. [Enter Captain Q. M. Harkness, l. 2 e., sa- 
luting — To Harkness.] Captain, has all the forage been 
secured in the neighborhood? 

Hark. Nearly all. 

Corse. That won't do; forage is as necessary as ammu- 
nition, and I want my quartermaster to undeistand no- 
body is exempt from furnishing it. 

Hark. Well, sir, 1 sent Captain Foster to that large 
house just outside our lines, but his wagons came back 
empty; then I sent Captain Bell, and he failed; finally, I 
went myself, and the lady treated us so splendidly, and 
talked so sweetly, w^e really had not the heart to take any- 
thing she had. 

Corse. [Meditatingly .] Captain, have your wagons 
ready at 7 o'clock in the morning. [To Estes.] Order a 
strong detail to accompany us. I'll go out with you. Cap- 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 19 

tain and we'll see about this forage business. 

JEstes, Will I go with you, General? 

Corse. No, sir, I don't want all of my handsome staff- 
offlcers with me when I go foraging. [They laugh — To 
Harkness.] Attend to your detail Captain, and tell the 
officers that I vvill be happy to see them at head-quarters 
to-night. [Exit Harkness, l. 2 is.— Enter Sam, r. 2 e. loith 
supper, and arranges it for Corse and Est-es— they sit by 
the table.] Now, uncle, you appear to be fond of singing, 
while we eat the hoe-cake, suppose you give us a song. 

Sam. All right, massa, all right; but you see I'se dun 
got to be pretty old, massa, and uncle Sam can't sing de 
songs like he used to. 

Corse. [Enter officers,!.. 2 e.] Gentlemen, take some 
supper, you see we are at home here. Uncle Sam runs 
this plantation now% [pointing to Sam,] and I know he's 
glad to see you; ain't you, uncle? 

Sam. Yes, massa; 1 know'd you was a comin', for de 
good bool< said so. De good Lord has heard de prayer 
meetin's, and de angel ob de Lord hab come down to set 
de darkeys free. I'se kept de lamps trimmed and burnin' 
and now, de bridegrooms am come, and may de good Lord 
bress you all till you dies. 

Estes. * * Have to go the other way. 

Corse. If you wish to test uncle Sam's hoe-cake, gentle- 
men, sit by. 

All. No, thank you. General. 

Corse. We've marched and fought now for over a hun- 
dred days, but Atlanta has fallen at last, and now we 
will have a little rest. [To Estes.] What regiment 
guards the roads and bridges? 

Estes. Colonel Atkins with the ninety-second Illinois. 

Corse. Then all is safe. Now, uncle, can you lavor us 
with a song? 

Sam. If you'll 'scuse de failin's, massa, I'll try. 
[Sam sings '■'■Down upon de Svjanee Biver,^^ invisible 
chorus— Bugle-call tattoo in cavalry camp iii the distance 

Hark. There goes tattoo in the cavalry camp. 



20 COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 

[All starting up. 

Estes. [Offering ichisky.] Will yon take a little pizen 
before yon jro? [All fill np and drink — Sing '•'■Bally Bound 
the Flag''"'— Drum beats tattoo near by, as if from infantry 
camp— All exit l. 2 e., followed by Estp:s.] Good-night, 
General. 

Corse. [Lying on the sofa.] Now for a little rest, undis- 
turbed, 1 hope, by firint;: on the picket-line— the first quiet 
twelve hours in one hundred days and nights; but how 
long will this last? Hood is desperate, and we so far troni 
our base of supplies; nearly two millions rations, ammu- 
nition and supplies of all kinds at Allatoona Mountains, 
defended only by one regiment. Let me see, whose is it? 
[Going to table and examining paper s— reads.] Colonel An- 
drews, Fourth Minnesota, four hundred muskets, and 
three guns of the Tenth Wisconsin Battery, a small but 
excellent command; but should Hood interpose between 
Sherman and me, he could certainly strike that point before 
I could relieve it, and what a disaster to the whole army 
— it would be fatal! By to-morrow night m/ railroad will 
be completed; I shall place every available man and contra- 
band upon it In the morning and I shall be ready for thera^ 
And now for a little sleep. [Lying down.] How Allatoona 
runs in my head— Allatoona. [Closes his eyes—Tremulo, 
^^Home.Sweet Home''^ — Shot is heard in the dAstance— sitting 
up— another shot is heard.] Firing on the pickets again. 
No rest for the soldier. [Listens and lies down again— a 
volley is heard in the distance — Springs to his feet.] 

Estes. [Enter l. 2 e.] Heavy tiring on the picket-line, 
General. 

Corse. Yes, I heard the first shot. 

Estes. Shall I arouse the camp? 

Corse. No, when we hear from the old Ninety-second 
'twill be time enough. Let the men rest. Hark! 

[Horse approaches at l. 

Hale. [At l. off stage.] Halt! who comes there? 

Horseman. [Harkness, at a distance.] Friend, with 
the countersign. 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 21 

Hale. Dismoiint, friend. [Pause and clash of saber.] 
Advance and give the countersign. [Pause.] Counter- 
sign is correct. Advance. 

Hark. Is tbe General awake? 

Hale. I think so. 

Enter Captain Harkness. 

Corse. Well, Captain, what news? 

Hark. Colonel Atkins desires me to say, sir, that tbe 
enemy in considerable force have attacked his outlying 
pickets, but have been repulsed. 

Corse. Were you present. Captain? 

Hark. Yes, General. 

Corse. Was it cavalry or infantry? 

Hark. Cavalry, 1 think, sir, from the ring of their car- 
bines. 

Corse. Very well. Tell Colonel Atkins to hold his 
front, if possible, without disturbing the command. This 
attack is probably to annoy us. [Exit Harkness.] This 
attack tells me Hood is moving and we shall have sharp 
work in a few days. [Exit Estes, l. 2 is..— Sits at table- 
Takes papers and map from his pocket.] Kilpatrick's last 
report to Sherman places Hood's advance on Flint River. 
That was two days ago, and here are his cavalry now on 
my front. Can it be he has crossed the Chattahoochee? 
[Bising.] He must have done so, if this is not one of 
Wheeler's raids. [Sits at table and examines map.] Here 
is Kenesaw Mountain— here runs the Sweetwater to the 
right — Kilpatrick with his cavalry guards the stream — his 
pickets should be on the Chattahoochee in front of Hood. 
There we are twenty miles away; here runs my railroad, 
and there is Allatoona with only Kilpatrick's cavalry be- 
tween it and Hood's whole army. To me this seems very 
serious. Allatoona must be a veru strong place, or Sher- 
man would never have made it his immediate base of sup- 
plies. Well, I hope it is, for I have a premonition that I 
am to defend it, and that right soon. [Lying down again.] 
Allatoona! Allatoona! [Sleeps. 

( Change. ) 



22 COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 

Scene II. 
Morning— Grounds adjoining camp—lieveille is beat—Senti- 

tinel, Hale, pacing his beat— Enter Jonathan Bunker, 

L. 1 E., ivith his shoulder hanging full of chickens and 

other articles of food. 

Hale. Halloo, Jonathan, you're out early. 

Jon. * * Swearin' in poultry. 

Hale. Pretty good luck, eh? 

Jon. * "^' 1 bad to take him to the guard-house 
anyway. Any news? 

Hale. Nothing particular, 1 guess. They say we're 
going to do big things pretty soon, as usual. 

Jon. * * Sent what was left of him home in a 
letter. 

Hale. They'll probably change the theatre of war to 
Georgia. 

Jon. * * I guess I'll git. [Exit r 1 e. 

Enter Harkness and Wagonmaster, l. 1 e. 

Hark. Is your train all ready? 

W. Master. Yes, Captain, all ready. 

Hark. Is the detail a strong one? 

W. Master. Yes, sir. Colonel Estes goes in command. 

Hark. We go outside the lines, and the enemy may be 
nearer than we suspect. There was firing on the picket 
line last night. At seven o'clock move out on the road 
toward Burnt Hickory, and we will overtake you with 
the escort. This way. {Exit L. 2 e. 

{Change.) 



Scene III. 
Interior of a room at Woodlawn Plantation— Lottie arid 

Howe at r.— May Fuller and Major {Doctor) Graves 

at R. in conversation. 

Howe. Lottie, I know not how to advise you; this ter- 
rible defeat of Hood leaves our State almost entirely un- 
protected, and if Sherman's array should pass this way, 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 23 

I shall be obliged to leave you, I know not for how long. 

Lottie. No matter, brother; I am a Southern woman, 
and know my duty. 

Howe. Ah! Lottie, you don't know the character of 
those Northern vandals; the torch would be applied be- 
fore you could [Bugle-call heard outside. 

Lottie. Hark! what is that? {All rush to window. 

Enter Rebel Soldier c. door. 

Soldier. Fly! fly for your lives; the Yankees are close 
upon us. 

Graves. Where are they? 

Sol. Not half a mile away. 

Howe. Tell Colonel Hubbel to attack them and hold 
them in check; I'll come to his support immediately with 
the reserve. [Exit Soldier c. door.'] Good-by, Lottie; 
Good-by, May. Remember you are Southern women, and 
give these Yankees the reception they deserve. 

Lottie. Have no fears, brother, have no fears. 

May. Depend on us. [Shouts heard outside. 

Howe. [Bushes to c. door.] By heavens! the house is 
surrounded and my men are flying. Curse the cowards; 
we'll be captured sure. 

Lottie. No! no! [Opens door at R.] Go in here; they 
shall not take you. [Howe and Graves enter the room— 
UowE drops a glove— To 'May.] Now, May, our courage 
is to be put to the severest test. His life depends on us; 
as you love him, so be brave. 

3Iay. Oh! I will try; I will do my best. 
[Enter Corse c. door, with drawn saber, followed bp 
Harkness.] 

Corse. [Starting back.] I beg pardon, ladies; I expect- 
ed to find armed men here, not ladies. 

Lottie. I only wish we were men, you would not enter 
this house so easily. 

3Iay. And so do I. [May and Harkness go up stage. 

Corse. [Sheathing his sivord.] And I prefer you to re- 
main the same beautiful ladies you were created. I never 
could resist an army of soldiers with such eyes as yours. 



24 COLONEL HARHY ESTES. 

But, ladies, were there no others here before we entered? 

Lottie. Do you suppose a Southern f^entleraan would 
remain housed, when the enemy's bugle summoned him 
to battle? 

Corse. Well, that depends on the man more than the 
section or locality he comes from. But no matter; if con- 
cealed, he cannot escape, for my men surround the house. 

Lottie. [Haughtily.] We are prisoners then, I suppose; 
or do you come to tire the house? I believe that is a fa- 
vorite pastime with you Yankee soldiers. 

Corse. No, no, ladies, neither; your sex and your home 
shall be respected. We do not come to make war on 
women; but you have a large amount of forage, my men 
and animals need it, and 1 have come to take it. 

Lottie. Indeed; may 1 ask your name? 

Corse. Certainly, my dear madam, my name is Corse. 

Lottie. General Corse? 

Corse. Yes, madam. 

Lottie. Are Yankee Generals so much better thieves 
than their quartermaster, that they go foraging them- 
selves. 

Corse. Well, no, madam; my quartermasters have no 
fears of rebel bullets or rebel shells, but your fascinations 
have driven them from the field, and they report to me as 
incapable of making even the second attack; I am there- 
fore obliged to go myself. 

Lottie. This attempt at flattery may be very amusing 
to you, but it is very distasteful to me. I ask no favor, 
sir, and expect none. Take all I have, sir, take it all; 
seoner or later it must all go, and 1 am powerless to pre- 
vent you. 

Corse. Madam, you are not powerless, and while 1 de- 
nounce my quartermasters for their weakness, I plead 
guilty myself, nor do I say this for flattery. [To Hark- 
NESS.] Captain, take that only which our immediate ne- 
cessities require. See that no depredations are commit- 
ted, and let this disagreeable duty be over as soon as 
possible. [Exit Harkness, c. door. 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 25 

Lottie. I am sure I thank 5^011. and I now beg pardon 
for my unkind words spoken a few moments ago. Will 
you be seated? 

Corse,. Thank you. [Going toward the door as if to sit^ 
discovers a gauntlet on the floor^jicJcs it uj}.] What is this, 
ladies? 

Lottie. [Confused.] A glove, I think. 

Corse. Does it belong to either of you ? 

Both. [Confused.] No, sir. 

Corse. [Sharply.] Certainly not; this is a soldier's 
gauntlet: to whom does it belong? 

Lottie. There was a soldier here just before you came, 
but he left us. sir. 

Corse. [As if unsatisjied.] Very well; I'll not distress 
you. 

3Iay. [To Lottie.] We must do something or we are 
lost. 

Corse. [Interrupting.] I beg pardon, ladies, 

Lottie. Nothing sir; my friend thought perhaps you 
would take some refreshments. Will you take a glass of 

wine? 

Corse. [Aside.] She is charming indeed. I think I will. 
[To Lottie.] Oh, yes, with pleasure. [Sitting.] I don't 
wonder, madam, my officers failed to take your corn 
and hay. 

Lottie. And why, pray ? 

Corse. Why I am more than half inclined to order the 
wagons to unload. 

[Enter May, r. door., toith cake and wine. 

May. Will you have some wine, sir? 

Corse. [To Lottie.] Will you join me? 

Lottie. Oh, yes; and it is not the first Yankee I have 
drank wine with, either. [They all drink. 

Corse. Well, ladies, [rising,] I shall be obliged to bid 
you good morning; and rest assured, I shall never forget 
this happy meeting. 

Lottie. General, do you love music. 

Corse. Oh, yes; but it is a long time since I've heard a 
lady sing. 



26 COLONEL IIARUY ESTES. 

Lottie. [Going to piano. ^ What shall I sing? 

Covse. Oh? anything; even a rebel song would sound 
sweetly, no doubt, if sung by you. 

[Lottie si)igs '■'■Bonnie Blue Flag. 

Lottie. You see I am a true rebel. 

Corse. I could forgive all the rebels if they were as 
charming as you. 

Lottie. Now, that compliment deserves something bet- 
ter than a rebel song. I used to sing a song long years 
ago, before this war had made us enemies; I learned it at 
West Point,. [.S7'i^i«(/ oij3i«wo], and I will sing it for you. 
[Sings '■'Bennie Havens OW^ — ivhile she is singing, Estes 
enters at c. door and approaches her sloioly as if recognizing 
her voice, and joins in the chorus— Lottie falters and stops, 
finally starts up from the piano before the song is concluded 
— turns to EisTES.] Estes! why my old friend, CadetEstes! 

Corse. [Whistles.] Why, what is this? 

Estes. * •^" Have you no word of welcome? 

Lottie. Welcome! vvhy, what welcome can I give to 
you? Would you have me welcome to this house a man 
who comes to take my brother's life, and rob his defence- 
less family? Welcome such a man? If you respect me, 
sir, how can you ask me such a question. 

Estes. * * As it possibly can be to you. 
[Shots are heard outside at l..— Bugle sounds the assembly.] 

Corse. There goes the assembly! We are attacked! 
[More shots heard— Bugle sounds quick time.] Farewell, 
ladies, till we meet again. [Exit c. door. 

Estes. * * Say that I may return! 

Lottie, [Aside.] Oh! what can I say! [More shots 
heard.] You will be killed if you stay. Yes, yes, you 
may come, but go now. 

Estes. * ■'•■ Die in the attempt. Farewell! 

[Exit c. door, 
Howe and Major rtish into room, and all crowd to the win- 
dow at L. 

Howe. Stand back. [Draws his pistol and throws open 
the window.] There goes my enemy, and 1 have sworn to 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 27 

kill him. Harry Estes, 'tis my turn now. [Prese^its the 
pistol— hOTTm throivs up her hand, and it is discharged into 
the air.] Curse you, I've missed him; but it's not yet too 
late. 

[Leaps out of the w indoic— Lottie falls on the sofa and 
covers her face with her hands— clashing of sabres out- 
side and some firing.] 

Jfay. [Looking from the window.] Oh? he will be kill- 
ed ! He has mounted his horse, and there he iioes into the 
midst of the li^ht! [Starting back.] Oh! they're lighting ! 

Lottie. [Going to the icindoio and taking May's hand.] 
He has fallen— he has killed my brother. O ray God! 
[Falls upon the so/«— May goes to her.] Go see what they 
have done with him. 

Mag. [Goes to the imndow.] The Yankees have gone 
and they are bringing Charley toward the house. 

[Lottie rises, and they arrange the sofa for him— Enter 
Howe with a sabre-cut on the head, assisted by 
Graves.] 

Lottie. O Charley! are you badly wounded? 

Howe. Yes. [They place him on the sofa.] Curse that 
Yankee lover of yours; I trusted to my revolver and miss- 
ed him, and then he sabred me. [May brings bandages, 
and Major binds up his head.] This is the second time he 
has triumphed over me; but by heavens, if we meet again, 
he shall die. 

Graves. It's a bad wound, Charley; that Lincoln hire- 
ling struck to kill, but you will be all right in a week. 

Hoive. Lottie, I must leave you; it will be impossible 
for me to remain here; 'tis too near the Yankee lines. 

Lottie. O brother! you can stay at least ti 1 you are 
better. 

Howe. [Angrily.] Yes, to be captured by that Yankee 
lover of yours. How nice that would be! 

Lottie. [Angrily.] Brother! 

Hoive. Oh! you can't deceive me; I saw your meeting. 
You must take me for a fool. You love this fellow. 

Lottie. [Firmly.] Well, what if I do? 



28 COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 

Iloive. What it you do? Do you hear that. Major? She 
confesses it. Oh shame I shame upon you— a Southern 
woman, a Howe, and love an accursed Yaukee! 

Graves. Come, Colonel, we must go; these Yankees may 
return. 

Howe. Well, 1 suppose we must. [Bising.] But 1 tell 
yon, Major, it's hard to be driven from one's home, to leave 
the old homestead that has sheltered one from childhood. 
If I thought the Yankees would push their lines beyond 
this house and occupy it, I'd burn it to the ground. But 
come, Lottie, let us have some refreshments before we go; 
it may be the last I shall ever taste under the old roof. 

Lottie. We'll bring it, brother. 

Hoive. Well, 1 reckon you will have to, for I expect the 
damned niggers have all run away. {Exit Lottie and 
May r. 2 e.] Major, the man who struck me down, you 
remember him? It was Harry Estes, a classmate of ours 
at AVest Toint. Our enmity is of long standing. Through 
his means I was dismissed the service, and I vowed that 
if I ever met him, I would take his life. He has been suc- 
cessful to-day, and but for him, we would have captured 
the whole of the Yankee lorces. 

Graves. That is so. Colonel; but give the devil his due: 
he's a splendid soldier. The daring manner in which he 
dashed among his men, rallied them, and held us back 
until his wagons got away, was really beautiful. That's 
when he struck you. Colonel. 

Howe. Yes, I know it. {Hesitating.'] Major, I've a plan 
to capture him yet. 

Graves. How ? 

Hoioe. Send May to me and keep Lottie away for a 
time and you shall see. 

Graves. All right. {Exit R. 1 e. 

Howe. So, so; there no way one-half so easy to catch a 
man as to bait your hook with a woman; and when Harry 
Estes shall become my prisoner, I'll invent a hundred 
ways to humiliate him. {Looking around, in a loiv tone.] If 
he should happen to shoot himself accidentally, of course, 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 29 

that wouldn't be my fault. It's a Ions laue tbat has no 
turn, and I'll be even with hin? yet. A little patience. 

May, [Enter R. 2 e.] The Major says you desire to 
speak with me. 

Howe. Yes; come here, May. {She sits hy his side.] 
Do you love the Southern cause. 

3Iay. [Surprised.] How can you ask me such a ques- 
tion ? 

Hoioe. Because a woman's heart is to me strangely in- 
comprehensible. Yesterday — this morning, I would have 
risked the fate of the Southern Confederacy and staked 
my life on my sister's loyalty. 

3Iay. Would you now hesitate. 

Iloive. Yes; I would not be unjust, but from this time 
forth, she must know nothing which, if imparted to the 
enemy, would injure our cause. But you, May, you can 
be trusted. 

3Iay. I am a weak, timid w^oman, but I love the South— 
I love you, Charley, and I would die to save either. 

Hoive. I rejoice to hear you say so. I believe you, and 
know you can be trusted. But, dear girl, I will not ask so 
great a sacrifice, though I am to ask of you a service full 
of importance to me and to our cause. 

May. [Surprised.] Of me, Charlie? Why. what can 
I do." 

Hmce. Much— everything. May, you know this Yankee 
lover of Lottie's? 

3Iay. Yes, I knew him at West Point. 

Hovje. You have heard of his exploits, and the injuries 
he and his chief. General Corse, have inflicted on our 
people? 

3Iay. Yes, the negroes are continually talking about 
them. 

Hov:e. They must be captured, and 'tis in your power 
to do it. 

May. [Stirprised.] What!— I Charley? 

Howe. Yes, you. Now listen. When we have gone, 
suggest to Lottie that she shall invite him over here to 
dine 



30 COLONEL HAKRY ESTKS. 

May. Oh! she would never do that. 

Howe. [TakiiKj her hand.] Then you do it. Stop, I'll 
tell you what's betrer. Write a letter to General ('orse, 
in her name, stating you wish to ^ee him in regard to pro- 
tecting property— anything. 

May. But suppose 

Howe. Never fear, he will come— Estes sure; then i'l- 
form me; with a strong force I will dash down upon the 
house, kill or disperse his escort, and their capture is 
certain. 

3Iay. O Charley! Lottie would hate me forever. 

Hoive. What! do you refuse? 

[Casts auxiy her and. 

May. No, no, Charley ; this would be so dishonorable, 
60 treacherous. 

Howe. [Bising.] May, any stratagem is fair in war, 
and we are justified in using any means to crush an ene- 
my like that with which we are contending. Step by 
step we have been driven back from the borders, till now 
w^e have reached the very heart of Georgia. For a whole 
month you have seen the sad spectacle of roads tilled with 
helpless people; old age and infancy, hand in hand, flee- 
ing before these ruthless invaders; for weeks you have 
seen the heavens grow black with smoke ascending from 
Southern homes now lain in ashes. Their sabres have 
grown red with the blood of those who would defend their 
hearthstones against overwhelming odds, and you with 
your own eyes, not an hour since saw me struck down by 
this accursed Yankee; you heard the dying groans of our 
people as his minions trampled them in the dust, and yet 
you will not raise a finger against such a foe. 

3Iay. Say no more. To prove my devotion, I'll do it. 
I'll do all you ask— even rtore. 

Howe. [Takes her hand.] Hush, darling, here they 
come; remember, not a word to Lottie. Send your letter 
through the Yankee picket-lines and leave the rest to me. 
Hush! 

Lottie. [Enter r. 2 e.] Lunch is ready, gentlemen. 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 31 

What, alone? Where is the Major! 
Hince. He'll be here in a moment. [Enter Major. 

Lottie. Come, Major, lunch is ready. 
Howe. May and I will follow in a moment. [Exit LOT- 
J.IE and Major r. 2. e.] Now, May, remember— not a 
word to Lottie, not a word. 
May. Not one word, Charley. 
[Jim, a contraband, separates curtains hanging in front 
of an alcove from behind, and sticks his head through 
the opening— Exit Howe and May r. 2 e.] 
Jim. Oh! no, not a word to anybody, Massa— oh! no, 
not a word. 

Curtain. 



ACT IV. 
Scene I. 

General Corse's head-quarters at Home, Ga.—Same as Act 

III, Scene /.—Corse and Estes sitting at Table r.— 

Corse reading morning reports. 

Estes. * * We are to be left behind. 

Corse. No, sir; when old Tecumseh moves, we move 
with him. Walcott's brigade is the only command save 
ours armed with Spencers— that is, of the infantry. I be- 
lieve all of Kilpatrick's men have Spencers. 

Officer. [J.^ L. 2 E.] Detail halt! order arms! rest! 
Enter Capt. Harkness and Major Andrews, old and new 
officer of the day. 

Corse. Well, Major, what news from the front? 

Andreios. All quiet; yet I would recommend a strong 
force on the Burnt Hickory road, for since the attack on 
the foraging party yesterday, the enemy have been seen 
frequently on our front. Here is a letter sent to the out- 
lying pickets this morning. [Gives letter to Corse. 

Corse. [To Harkness.] You go out, sir, with the relief. 

Hark. Yes, General. 

Corse. Well, look sharp; to-morrow I'll increase the 



32 COLONEL HARltY ESTES. 

force under your command. [Exit Harkness and X'S- 
DRV^ws-L. 2 -E.— Opens the letter.] Halloo! what's this? A 
letter from a woman! Guess it must be for you, Estes. 

Estes. Let me see. 

Corse. No, I'll read it first. [Iieads.] 

"General Corse; General: The unfortunate occur- 
rence at my house yesterdaay, and the precarious posi- 
tion in which two helpless women find themselves at this 
trying hour, induces me to ask of you some protection and 
assistance. Perhaps it w^ould be best for us to abandon 
our home and go further South, beyond the dangers that 
now threaten us. Will you honor us with another visit, 
that I may consult with you in regard to what we had 
better do? I blush to ask a favor of an enemy, but ray 
own people are powerless to aid us. 

"Yours, Lottie Howe." 

"P. S.— I trust you and Colonel Estes were not injured 
yesterday, and may I ask that he will accompany you." 

Yes, yes, of course— move South— precarious position- 
two helpless females— yes, yes— hope Colonel Estes will 
come too— [Writes on the back of the letter and reads.] 
''Respectfully referred to Colonel Estes." 

[Gives him the letter. 

Estes. [Seriousl(/.] General! 

Corse. Oh! that's all right. Colonel; don't take offense. 
Go and see the girl. 

Estes. Will you go, General? 

Corse. No, why should I go? That letter was really 
intended for you. [Laughing.] Go and see her, go and 
see her. Two poor helpless females. [Lauqhs.] But 
have a care, Estes, it's near the rebel lines, and fair as 
she is, she may be treacherous. 

Estes. No, General; treacherous?— never! 

Corse. But remember, I've warned you. I'm going up 
the railroad. Exit Corse l. 2 e. 

Estes * * Sergeant! sergeant! 

Jonathan. [Enter t.. Its..] I'm here. 

Estes. * * Take charge of the office. 

[Exit l. 2 E. 

Jon. * * If they do, I'm goin' to Congress 
Enter Orderly Hale, l. 2 is..— Keeps his hat on. 

Hale, Where's the General? 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 33 

Jon. * * Take your hat oft' when you talk to me. 

Hale. Oh! what's the matter, Jonathan? Are you 
drunk? 

Jon. * * My grandfather tit and died in the Rev- 
olution, and 

Hale. Look here, Jonathan, I ain't got no time to fool; 
there's a darkey outside, and says he must see the Gen- 
eral. [Jonathan ?ooA-.«j rti /{/r/i yen/ dujniJied—RAX.^ takes 
off his hat and salutes.] Ain't you going to treat. General? 

Jonathan. * * Nothing like being an officer and 
having command. 

Hale. Well, General [Puts on his hat.] what about — - 

Jonathan. [Angrily.] Take off your hat, sir I 

Hale. [Takes off his hat hastily.] Well, General, what 
about the nigger? , 

Jonathan. * * I want my mind clear. 

Hale. [Saluting very humbly and going toioards the 'whis- 
key.] When will we move. General? [Ventures to take a 
glass of whiskey.] Here's hoping you'll be a Major Gener. 
al in six weeks. [Brinks.] 

Jonathan. All right. 

[Struggle \s heard outside at l. 2 e. Enter Jim, arranging 
his clothes as if they had been pulled and goes toward Hale.] 

Jim. [To Hale.] Is you de Captin, Massa? 

Jonathan. [Indignantly .] Don't you see I'm here, nig- 
ger? What do you want? 

Jim. Massa, whar is de Gineral dat had de tight yester- 
day ober at Massa Howe's plantation? 

Jonathan. Well, he aint here. What do you wan? 

Jim. [Alarmed.] Is dey gone already, Massa? 

Jonathan. Gone where? 

Jim. Ober to de plantation, if dey has dey'll perish. 
Dey's betrayed, Massa, dey's betrayed. 

Jonathan. What do you mean, you black rascal? 

Jim. Massa, I dunno, I dunno zackly, but de/'ll boff hv. 
killed if dey's gone. For de lub ob de Lord send some- 
body to bring dem back. 'Tis all a trick and Massa Howe 
is waitin' wit his sogers ober dar lo coteh 'em. 



34 COLONEL IIARUY ESTES. 

Jon. * * Where is Sam? [Calling.] Sam! Sam! 
[to Hale.] Wbere's Corse? 

Bale. Sam said he went up the railroad. 

Jon, * * When I'm in command. 

Jim. No, Massa, as I hope to lib I've told de troof, and 
somebody will be sorry for all dis. 

Jon. [Indiiinant.] What's that? Ni,i?ger, did you ever 
see the inside of a guard-house? 

Jim. No, Massa. 

Jon. * * Take him to the guard house. 

[ExAt Hale with Jim in charge, l. 2 e.] 

Jim. May de Lord protect 'em, Ise done my best. 
[Enter Hale l 2 e., hat on. 

Hale. [Laughing.] Jonathan, you ought to seen 

Jpn. * * My grandfather fit and died and 

[Enter Corse l. 2 e. Jonathan removes his hat and 
comes down out of the GeneraVs chair verg hurnblg. 

Corse. Where is Colonel Estes? 

jon. * * Back in an hour or two. 

Corse. [Carelessly.] Oh yes, I know. Any one been 
qere since I left? [Looking at ivhiskey. 

jon. * * 1 put him in the guard-house. 
Corse. AVhy, what for? 

Jon. * * And you would be took. 

Corse. What! What's that you say? Where is the 
negro? Bring him here instantly. [Exit Jonathan and 
Hale, l. 2e.] What can this mean? By heavens! I fear 
some treachery. I didn't think he would go before I got 
back. [Pacing the floor. Why don't they come? [Enter 
Jonathan and Hale with Jim l. 2 e.] Uncle, what is this 
story I hear? 

Jim. [Taking his hand.] Is you here, Massa! De Lord 
be bressedl Had you gone ober to de plantation dey 
would killed you suah, case I heerd dem make de plan 
wid Massa Howe. 
Corse. Is this true, Uncle? 

Jim. Yes, Massa. 

Corse. [To Jonathan.] Jonathan, Colonel Estes will 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 35 

1)6 killed or captured through your stupidity. Quick! no 
time is to be lost! Order out the escort! Sound boots and 
saddles! [^^f/i Jonathan l. 2 e.] [To Hale.] Orderly, 
saddle the black mare — see that my revolvers are ready — 
quick. 

[Exit Hale l. 2 e. — hoots and saddles is sounded out- 
side. Exit Corse l. 2 e.] 

( Change. ) 



Scene II. 
[Grove near Woodlaion.— Enter Howe and Graves. 

Howe. [Flitting on his gloves.'] Major, it's all right; we 
have not waited in vain; our plan works well, for May has 
informed me the Yankees have bit at nay bait. It's near 
nine o'clock. Be ready, men, I will [speaking from icing at 
R.] give the signal; then dash down upon them. [Pleased.] 
ha! ha! 

Graves. Howe, this manner of warfare is not honorable.' 
you yourself would denounce it if adopted by the Yankees 
themselves. 

Howe. Do you suppose I will leave any means unem- 
ployed to capture that fellow? 

Graves. Any means, Colonel? 

Hoice. [Emphatically.] Yes, any. 

Graves. Well, if you have resolved, have you consider- 
ed what the result may be if you fail? 

Howe. But I shall not fail. 

Graves. Don't be too sure, Colonel, don't be too sure. 
These Yankees are aware of the risk to which they are 
exposed — they're no fools. 

Hoive. [Becklessly.] Well, we'll try it any way. 

Graves. Of course, you are the commanding officer and 
can do just as you may choose, but mark my word, if you 
fail and this trick is discovered, your home will be burnt 
to the ground, and May and Lottie will be obliged to go to 
the Yankee General for protection, and you yourself may 
lose your life. 

Howe. Do you suppose you can frighten me from my 



3G COLONEL HARRY ESTEH. 

purpose? I tell you the prize is within my reach and I 
have but to ^rrasp it. If you are afraid you are excused 
from j^oin*;. 

Graves. Colonel, my duties as a surgeon lead me where 
my services are required — 'tis not for me to approve or 
disapprove; but to save the lives ol those who maybe 
stricken down, I shall so; but the consequences shall rest 
entirely on yourself. 

Hrnoe. Well, let it sir. I do not wish to shirk the re- 
sponsibility. 

{Filter Eebel Sergeant r. 2 e.] 

Sergeant. Half a dozen Yankees have just rode up to- 
ward your house, sir. 

Howe. All right, they've come; now be ready. 

Sergeant. Shall we kill them? 

Howe. Kill the men if you are obliged to, but take the 
officers prisoners. I vmnt them. Where are the men? 

Serqeant. They are concealed, sir, in the grove. 

Hoioe. Now, gentlemen, if you want to see rae bag a 
Yankee General and his adjutant follow me. 

[Exit all K. 2 E.] 
[Change.] 



Scene III. 
[Interior at Woodlawn—same as Act III, Scene J//— Lot- 
tie seated at table r., May looking out of windoiv at l. 
Lottie. May, you have been standing at that window 
for the past hour. Whom are you expecting? Have you 
any idea Charley will visit us again? 

3/rt?/. [Confused.] Oh! no, Lottie, I'm a little nervous, 
that's all. 
Lottie. Why, what's the matter? 

May. [Both coming to thejront.] Well, I've been think- 
ing all day of the battle yesterday, and I tremble lest it 
should be repeated. Your friend is sure to return. Your 

brother will watch the house, and if he comes 

Lottie. Do you think he will be so foolish? 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 3 7 

May. {Forgetting herself.] I know he will. 

Lottie. [Excited and surprised.] You know? 

May. [Checking herself.] That is — well — why shouldn't 
he? 

Lottie. [Looking at May surjrrised.] Oh! I hope he will 
not be so rash. 

3Iay. [Goinq to the window.] Here comes some horse- 
men now. 

T^ottie. [Alarmed.] Where? which way? [Going to the 
vnndow.] It is he — it is Estes. Oh! why has he come 
here ? [To May.] What shall we do ? 

May. Receive him — do the best we can. 

Estes. * * You see, Miss Lottie, 1 have returned . 

Lottie. [In fear.] Oh! why have you been so very reck- 
less — why take such pains to be captured, perhaps killed? 

Estes. * * Any foe would prevent me? 

Lottie. [Surprised.] I bade you come! 1 never invited 
you. 

Estes. What? Read that. [Hands her a letter.] 

Lottie. [Taking it.] I never wrote it. Harry, you are 
betrayed, and May, this is your w^ork. Speak! have you 
done this? 

May. [Confused.] Yes, oh! yes 

Enter Orderly Hale, c door.] 

Hale. Colonel, we are surrounded — we have but six 
men; what shall we do? 

Estes. * * Bolt the door. 

[Hale bolts the door—feiv shots are heard and Howe's 

men are heard attempting to force the door — Estes 

places his pistols on the table in front of him and 

throws his scabbard one side— Hale goes by his side.] 

Howe. [Outside.] Open the door and surrender. 

Estes, * * They will be here in ten minutes. 

Howe. Break down the door! 

Lottie. Oh! Harry, you will be killed. What can we do? 

[Door gives icay.] 

Estes. Stand aside and let them come. Now Orderly. 
[Firing by all— two rebels fall by the door— Hale falls near 

Estes— i?e6eZs give back. 



38 COLONEL HARRY ESTES, 

Iloive. Forward! Come on you cowards. [Enter How k 
c door icith drawn sabre, folloiced 5?/ Graves.] [Clash of 
sab7'es outside. Enter Jonathan and two or three men. 
Jonathan grabs Howe and throics him back.] 

Jon. No yon don't. My name's Jonathan Bunker and 
we're here . 

Estes. * * 1 ask no advantage. 
[Jonathan goes over to Graves and stands hij him. 
Estes and Howe cross swords, and Lottie stejjs be- 
tween them . 

Lottie. Spare him, Harry, he is my brother. 

Estes, * '^ Thank your sister for it. 

Hoive. Strike, sir; I scorn to seek the protection of a 
woman and I ask no quarter. 

[Enter Corse and Jim. Jonathan aiid others reinove 
dead soldiers.] 

Corse. Colonel, you are saved and I am glad we arriv- 
ed in time; but you owe your life to this faithful negro. 

Howe. Curse the infernal nigger. 

Jim. Cuss away, Massa, cuss away; but it won't do no 
good, Massa. 

[Enter Jonathan with paper.] 

jon. * "^ Amount to something to you. 

Corse. [Takes papers and reads.] Well! these are in- 
deecT valuable, [^eads aloud.] 

To Colonel Howe: Hood's army have crossed the 
Chattahoochee. Join Hood in front of Allatoona. Hood 
is advancing on the Sweetwater, driving Kilpatrick's cav- 
alry before him; to-morrow be will reach Allatoona. 
Don't fail to join him at once. 

French, Major Gen. C. S. A. 
[To Estes.] Estes, telegraph immediately to 

Estes. Our telegraph has been useless for two hours. 

Corse. Then mount your fleetest horse. It's twenty- 
five miles from here to Sherman's headquarters. Take a 
few men, pass to the left of the Sweetwater, skirt the base 
of Kenesaw mountain (you know the road), then ride for 
your lile. Tell Sherman I am ready and await his orders. 
If I do not get a telegram from him in less than three 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 39 

hours [ shall move without orders. By morning Hood 
will he in front of Allatoona and then it will be too late^ 
[To Jonathan.] Remove your prisoner, Sergeant. [Jon- 
athan exit with j.>riSo«er«.] [To ladies.] Collect such 
things as you may need and allow me to escort you to my 
headquarters, where I shall offer you every ])rotection. 

Lottie. Thanks, General. My brother's acts of treach- 
ery have left me without a protector. 

Estes. * * Can you — will vou trust me? 

Lottie. [Takim/ his hand hesitatinqly .] Harry, I will. 

Corse. Estes, leave this for some other time. Hood is 
marching on Allatoona. Away! away! 

Estes. [To Lottie.] I'll meet you at headquarters; 
farewell, Lottie. {Kisses her and exits l. 2 e. hurriedhj.] 

Corse. Now, ladies, we must go. 

Lottie. [ With her hands raised toivard heaven, looks up 
imploringly.] My home! my home! [Picture. Red tire.] 
[Change.] 



Scene 4. 

Landscape in 1 — Some firing and cheering heard outside at R. 
Enter Estes at r. fires two or three shots — Two or three 
rebels enter at r. and seize /im.— Estes fights desperately 
hut is overpowered. 
Rebel Sergeant. No you don't. We want you. Colonel 

Howe told me to watch for just such chaps as you. Where 

was you going, Yank? 
Estes. * * Decline to answer any questions. 
Sergeant. Well, we will see about that. Men, you will 

take this man down to camp. Guard, fall in, right face. 

[Sergeant places EtST¥jS in the ranks.] Now, sir, move on, 

and if you attempt to escape I would not give much for 

your Yankee skin. Guard, forward march. [They exit at 

L. 1 e.] 

[Change.] 
Scene 5. 

Camp in the woods— Rebel soldiers seated around stage— En- 
ter Jim with basket of pies and cakes. 



40 COLONEL HARKY ESTES. 

Jim. How are you boys. Do you want to buy some 
provisions? 

Rebel soldier. Now, boys, here's some fun. [To JiM.l 
What have you got in your basket, nigger? [Fumbles in 
Jim's basket.] 

Jim. Say, you jest keep your dirty fingers out of dem 
pies. If you want to buy any of 'em, I'm here to wait on 
yor . 

Soldier. What's that you say, you black rascal? Boys 
get that blanket and we'll show him how to talk to white 
folks. [They get blanket and toss Jim tip several times. Jim 
finally rolls out of blanket making great fuss.] 

Jim. Say, boy's, dat's usin' a feller mighty rough, I tell 
you. 1 don't like dat kind of business no how. [Aside,] 
If Massa Estes gets by this camp he's all right. I done 
thought I'd watch 'em a little any way. 

[Enter Bebel squad loith Estes.] 

Sergeant. Halt, order arms, break ranks, march. Now, 
then, men, keep a good watch of him; if he a ttempts to 
escape, shoot him. [Exit r. 2 e.] 

Jim. Bress de Lord if dat aint Massa Estes now. He's 
gone up now for suah. [Crosses over to Estes ivho stands 
at R. 2e.] 

Estes. * * Send some one to my relief, Be quick, 

Jim. Alll right, Massa, Ise gone. [Exit R. 2 e. in haste.] 
[Enter Sergeant and Bebel Capt. Cooke, r. 2 e.] 

Sergeant. Captain, here is a Yankee Colonel we cap- 
tured and he says he will answer no questions. 

Capt. Cook. All right. Sergeant, we will see about 
that. [To Estes.] Who are you, and where are you from? 

Estes. * * Officer from the federal army. 

Cooke. Indeed. Be careful, sir, how you answer, or 
you will be mustered out of the service sooner than you 
expected. AVhat was your mission so far outside of your 
lines? 

Estes. * * Dare you to injure me you cowardly 
rebel traitor. 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 41 

Cook. What's that? Fall in, men, the Yanks are pretty 
thick around here and the sooner we get rid of this fellow 
the better. [Guards Jail m.] [To Estes.] Now, then, 
will you answer my questions? 

Estes. * * I will keep my oath though I lose my 
life. 

Cooke. Then, sir, you have sealed your own doom. 
Guard, ready, aim,— now, then, if you have anything to 
say, you had better be quick about it, for your time is 
short. 

Estes. * * And that is [looks off at l., rises up 
and swings his hat] surrender! 

[Jonathan and Jim enter at r. loith squad of Union 
soldier's— Cook falls on floor~JiM stands over him tri- 
umphantly-— Eehels fall on their A;?iees— Jonathan a7id 
men stand charge— picture, red fire. 
[Curtain.] 



ACT V. 

Scene I. 
Sherman's headquarters at JiZZafoonrt— Sherman seated at 

table R. with his adjutant reading dispatches. 

Sherman. Have you any word from Corse? 

Col. Foster. No, General, but here is a dispatch from 
General Kilpatrick. 

Sherman. AVhat does he report? 

Foster. [Beads:] 

Headquarters Cavalry Corps,) 
10 A. M.f 

General:— This morning the enemy appeared in force 
on the left bank of the Chattahoochee', drove in my pick- 
ets and crossed the river in flat-boats. He is now throw- 
ing a pontoon. My entire command is moving to attack 
him. ' Respectfully, Kilpatrick. 

[Enter Orderly r. 1 e.] 

Orderly. An officer has just arrived from General Corse. 

Sherman. [Excited.] From Corse? Show him in. [Ex- 
it Orderly r. 1 e. Enter Estes r. 1 e. Sherman rises and 
shakes his hand.] Why, Colonel, what brings you here? 



42 COLOXEf, HARliY ESTES. 

Estes. * •■• And is marching? for Allatoona. 

Sherman. How know you this? 

Estes. * * On his person were found tliese pa- 
pers. [Hands letter to Sherman. Sherman takes papers 
and reads.] 

Sherman. Allatoona was Hood's ol>jeotive point, 

Estes. * * Sent to my relief by General Corse. 

Sherman. You have done nobly. Take a fresh horse, 
gather up all the mounted men here at headquarters and 
ride to Allatoona and join General Corse. Tell him the 
whole army will march at once to his relief. [Exit Estes 
L. 2 k. Sits at table and lorites Tapidhj.'] This is very ser- 
ious. [Enter Foster l. 1 e. Ilandinq paper to Foster.] 
There, seod that to Howard. [Exit Foster l. 1 e.] [Ex- 
amines map mi table; ivhile examining enter Foster, l. 1 e.] 
Colonel, send Captain Seymour to General Slocum and 
say I wish to see him immediately. [Exit Foster l. 1 e.] 
[Pacing the floor.] Hood's ultimate objective point is a 
mystery to me. I don't believe he even knows himself. 1 
expected some dash on his part, but I had no idea he 
would be so bold as to attack me in the rear. But I'll 
make him repent this, [j^n^e?- Slocum l. 1 e.] Slocum, 
Hood is on this side of the Chattahoochee and is now 
marching on Allatoona— so report Corse and Kilpatrick. 
Kilpatrick is lighting him now. It may be he is only mov- 
ing with part of his command. Howard moves in half an 
hour and I leave you here for fear of a feint. Use your 
own judgment, but you had better send a strong force 
down the river with orders to attack fiercely any force 
they may meet; it will have a tendency to check flood's 
advance. I leave at once for Kenesaw Mountain; I pitch 
my tents there to-night. Look out for my signals by red 
light. I placed Corse at Rome in anticipation of this 
movement. If any officer in my command can hold Alla- 
toona he v^^ill do it; so long as he lives Allatoona is safe. 

Slocum. I have no doubt of it; he is bravery itself. 
[Enter Foster l. 2 e.J [To Foster.] Break up head- 
quarters. Sound boots and saddles. In twenty minutes 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES- 43 

we must he oft'. [Exit Foster h. 2 "e. Boots and saddles 
sounded at l. Cheers, etc.] 

Sloctim. What splendid soldiers! hear them cheer; al- 
v,avs ready for a li;^'ht. 

Sherman. Well, jrood bye, Slociim. Hood must be crazy 
to think he can outflank us old flankers. Good bye. Look 
out for me on Kenesaw to-night. [Exit all l. 1 e.] 
( Chauf/e. ) 



Scene II. 

Allatoona—Kenesaio Mountain in the distance— Picks and 
Shovels heard offstage at J..— A small elevation at R. and a 
SKjnal officer (BetuL.) looking toimrds Kenesaiv and then 
down as if lookiyig cloimi the side of Allatoona 3Iountai7i~ 
Soldiers with muskets etc. on the stage. Colonel An- 
drews heard off stage at l.] 
Andrews. That's r^'ght, men — work for your lives. The 

enemy is only a few miles away, but if he fails to attack 

us for an hour we are safe. Corse left Rome an hour ago, 

and will soon be here. [Enter L. 1 e.] 
Bell. Colonel, will you step here a moment? I see an 

oflicer and some men riding furiously along the base of 

Kenesaw. 
Andreios. Who can they be? [Going on the elevation.] 
Bell. Some one, I think, from Sherman. lean only see 

them with my glass. 
Andreivs. Keep watch of them. 

[Enter Capt. Lykts. of artillerp.] 
Lyke. Colonel, do you see that rebel flag? 
Andreios. Where? 
Lijke. [Pointing doicn.] Down there by that clump of 

trees. 
Andrews. Oh, yes, they've a battery. 
Li/ke. Yes, they are just coming into position. Let me 

give them one shot. 
Andretos. All right, give it to 'em. [Exit Lyke l. A 

shot is heard, followed by an explosion in the distance. Men 



44 COLONEL HARUY ESTES, 

rush np and look off at r. Thei/ cheer.] Bully for Lyke! 
There goes a caisson ! 

Bell. There is another rebel flag. Yes, and there is an- 
other. [Fomtiru/.] 

Andrews. And here are more on our right— rebels ev- 
erywhere. OhI why don't Corse come? Can they have 

captured him? Men, prejjare for 

[Enter Jonathan l. 2 e. in haste.] 

Jonathan. I'm here. 

[Enter Jim folloioing him.] 

Jim. Yes, Massa, we's heah! 

Andrews. And who are you? 

Jon. * * My grandlather tit and died in the Kev — 

Andrews. Never mind your grandfather now; where 
are you from? 

Jon. * * In the shake of a lamb's tail. 

Andreivs. Thank heavens? Three cheers for General 
Corse. [The men cheer.] Did you see anything of the en- 
emy? 

Jon. * * Fightin' 'em for the last two hours. 

Jim. Yes sah, Massa, w^e seed acres of 'em, acres of 'em 
— millions. 

Andrews. Where? 

Jim. We've jest done left 'em, Massa. Ise been among 
'em all day. Ise been scoutin' I has; de General told me 
to find out all I could, and Ise jest done left 'em. 

Andreios. How many are there? 

Jim. Oh! Massa, de woods is full of 'em — de woods is 
full chuck up. 

Andreivs. Have they any big guns? 

Jim. De guns widde cartwheels on em, Massa? Thou- 
sands ob 'em. 

Andretvs. Did you hear them tire? 

Jim. Golly, Massa, I guess I has: it was only a little 
while ago, and I heerd one of dem tings going fro de air. 
As it went over my head it hollered out jest as if it was 
inquiring for me [imitating a shell] wharis ye? wharis ye? 
and just cause it couldn't find me it got mad and busted 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 

L.J Here comes Corse! l^ 

Men. AVhere? where? 
fan * * Here he is! bere be is! 

Tenter Corse, .nen with colors, ^^-^^^^^^^^^^t 

CORSE slmke hands-Enter Lottie and M a^ , GRA^ es 

and Howe— oZZ enier at l. 1 e.] 

Cor Colonel, here are two ladies who have placed 

th^'sel'vesunde; my protection. Please see that they 

hl'e a safe and secure place till the battle .s over. [T 

graves ««d HOWE.] Gentlemen, do you still keep >oui 

parole? ^ , 

arnvp^ I will, General. 
^r:-I Will not. Youaresu^o^idedhereinUiis 



mountain, not by a rebel mob, ^"^^^ H^^^^:^^^:-^^,""'! 
You cannot hold this place live minutes against h^s al 
lant soldiers. Before the sun goes down I shall be fiee 
and vou shall take my place. 

Corse. There will be a heap of dead rebels hist. 

jo,i * * The old man's true blue! 

Jirn. [Imitating Jonathan, jumps up, etc.-] Hoora, we 
is true blue, we is! 

Howe. Black, you mean, you dirty nigger. 

jZ Look heah, sah, who you callin' nigger. [Ap- 
proaches him.'] 

'"aZr^^Tm..., ..en, tUese a,-e prislne.. of war an* 
,„ut not be insulted. Colonel, escort ^-^-^ >- '-^'^ -^ 
place of safety. [Exit Col. Andrews, May «»' Lottie ] 
[To GRAVES.] Doctor, I accept your parole. [To Jo^A- 
THAN.] Jonathan, take charge of your prisoner; if he at- 
tempt to escape, shoot him. [Exit Howe muler charge of 
JONATHAN. CORSE looks towards Kenesaw with h,s glass.] 
'T™ General, not a mile away, otf to the ngh com 
eomeofKilpatriclc's cavalry, and a party ol rebels aie 
trying to intercept them. 



46 COLONEL HARRY ESTKS. 

Corse, [SpringiiKj on the tvorks — looks tJiromili Jtis glass 
doivn the mountain.] 'Tis Colonel Estes! he will be killed 
or captured now certain. There he conies! he cannot 
avoid them! he must tijrht. (Jh! if I could only help !-.iin. 
Dell. They have formed a line in his tront. 
Corse. Yes, but, by heavens! he has ohartred throujih 
them. Here he comes! here he comes! Gallant fellow! 
[Cheering off stage at l. Enter Estes, covered ivith mud 
and battle-ivorn— exhausted, he embraces Corse.] Well 
done, my gallant boy, well done. 

[Enter Lottie folloived bij Jim r. 1 e. Estes embraces 
Lottie.] 
Loliie. Thank God! Harry, you are safe. 1 saw it all 
from yonder rock. My brave, my gallant Harry 1 
Estea. ■" -^^ Where will you go? 
Lottie. Oh! t am safe, 'tis only for you I fear. 
Bell. The enemy is moving. 
[Shouts off the stage, '■^ Here they comeP'' — the men kneel 
and, bring their muskets to a read;!.] 
Corse. Silence! Let no man speak or fire until I give 
the word. Miss Howe, you had better retire at once. 
Lottie shakes hands with Estes and exits r. 1 e.] Com- 
rades, we are soldiers here from (3hio, Minnesota, Iowa, 
Wisconsin, and Illinois; we must surrender or tight as we 
never fought before. I will not deceive you— we are less 
than two thousand strong, and the enemy six times that 
number. We cannot surrender — then let us tight, and 
may God defend the right! [Cheers as if the line extended 
off the stage at r. and l.] Novv lay for them and let no man 
fire a single shot till 1 give the word. Estes, go to the 
right and watch for my signal. [Estes exit l. 1 e.] Now, 
men, steady. Here they come! 

[Bebel orders are heard in the distance on the right and 
in the front given by Howe: '■'■ Fonijard, men! Move 
straight to the Jront! Steady on the right!— a pause— a 
voice very close— '"'• Where are ye, Yaiiks! Where are ye 
Yanks!''] 
Corse. [Springing up.] Here we are! Fire! Fire! Give 



COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 47 

it to 'em! [Corse falls with a head loonnd. Jonathan 
catches him in his arms and eases himdawn; sets him against 
knoll on which signal offlcer loas standing. Rebels retreat — 
firing ceases.] [Enter Estes l. 2 e.] 

Estes. Is he dead ? 

Corse. No, I'm worth a hundred dead men yet and I'll 
defend this post. [Theg bind up his head.] 

Bell. A sifiTnal on Kenesawl See it? [A small light is 
seen on the mountain.] 

Corse. What does he say? 

Bell. [Beads very slcnvhj.] Hold— on— do— not— <i:ive— 
up — we — are — cominj^ — to — your— aid —Howard — is — with- 
in — five — miles — with — his — whole — corps — Sherman. 

Corse. Siirnal back : We— have— repulsed— them— once 
—half— my— head— is— ^one— but— we— will— hold— the— 
fort — or — die. [To Estes.] Take command, Estes. I'm 
faint. [Faints aioay.] 

Bell. Colonel, they are coming again. 

Estes. * * Contract his lines and refuse 

Jon. ^ He is dead, sir. 

Estes. Well, Lieutenant Colonel Wharton 

Jon. Badly wounded; so is the Major. 

Estes. * * Who led the last attack? 

Bell. Yes, sir, and there he comes leading as before. 

Estes. [Has he escaped? 

[Ezit Jim in haste and return^.] 

Jiui. [Excited enter r. 2 e.] He's done gone suah, Mas- 
sa, dead sartin. 

Estes. * * Men, ready, tire! [Firing on both sides 
for short time— rebels show themselves and tvjo or three fall 
dead— B.OWE rushes at Estes— they cross sioords and fight— 
Corse revives and starts up — sees Howe, draws pistol and 
fires— RowE falls dead; 10 hen RoyvE falls firing ceases, reb- 
els retreat— enter May and kneels over Howe; Lottie rush- 
es to Estes, they embrace and stand in a pjicture, soldiers all 
kneel. Tableait, decoration of soldiers^ graves on platform 
in background.] 

[Curtain.] 



48 COLONEL HARKY ESTES. 

ACT V^I. 
Scene 4. 

Interior of Squire Dunham's house in Vermont— Mrs. T>. 

and Lottie Estes seated at table c. 

[Enter Squire R. 2e.] 

Mrs. Dunham. Well, father, what is the news this 
mornin<r? 1 am very anxious to learn. Ever since that 
terrible battle of Allatoona I have had such a terrible an- 
xiety lor our son Harry. 

Squire D. Well, mother, 1 have heard nothing definite. 
Mariar Bunker was over this morning to borrow a hoe, 
and said som-thing about the people in the village being 
and didn't stop to learn the nature of their excitement. I 
very excited about some late news, but was in a hurry 
sent that rascal Jim to town over an hour ago for our mail 
but he has not returned yet. I suppose he has got in with 
that darkey Captain Harkness brought home with him and 
they are exchanging war yarns. [To Lottie.] Lottie, 
what was it Harry had to say about Richmond in that let- 
ter you got the other day ? 

Lottie. I have the letter in my pocket, father. I'll read 
it to you. [Lottie takes letter out of her pocket and reads.] 

Before Richmond,) 
April 7, 1865,1" 

Mf/ Dear TF^/e;— Since my lastletter there has been but 
little change in matters here. We still keep up our skir- 
mishing, and I think the rebels are weaicening. One of 
our spies came in this morning and reports that the rebels 
cannot possibly hold out more than two da}'s at the out- 
side. Richmond is the stron<ihold of the Southern Confed- 
eracy and when that falls their hopes are gone. Our boys 
are all in good spirits and are confident of success. We 
all look anxiously forward to the day when we can come 
home to our dear friends and live in peace and retirement 
from all scenes »f strife and warfare. God grant that that 
day is close at hand. Jonathan Bunker has been over to 
see me this morning and wants you to tell Mariar for him, 
to not worry al)out him for he is as sound as a brick and 
will be ready to go to Congress in less than a year. He is 
the same old sixnence and keeps the whole regiment in 
good spirits with his comicalities. 1 have just received 
an order to report to General Buckland's headquarters so 
1 will have to stop writing for this time. Keep up a brave 



COLONEL HAURY ESTES. ^ 49 

heart. Give my best to father and mother. Tell them I 
will be with them before long: if God spares me. 

Your loving, Harry. 

3Irs. D. Brave Hat'ryl I believe if he was to have an 
opportunity to write while in the midst of a battle' He 
would be just as cool and resolute as if at home. ' 

Squire D. Yes, mother, we have just cause to feel proii'd 
of our noble son, and 1 could not think more of him if he 
was our own boy. 

3Irs. D. Lottie, won't you sing for us that song you 
sang last evening, "Just before the Battle, Mother"? 

Lottie. Yes, mother, I will try ; it is very good and I 
think appropriate after reading Harry's letter. 

[Lottie simjs '■'■Just before the Battle, Mother.^''— invisi- 
ble chorus outside— at close of chorus Jim is heavd 
singing, ^'■Johnny Jill up the bowl,'''' at R. 2 e.] 

Squire D, There comes the rascal, Jim, now. About 
time I should think. He's a spoiled chicken sure. 

[Enter iiM. singing, stops, looks at Squire D., laughing 
and dancing.] ; ; 

Jirn. Bully for Corse! bully for GrantI hurrah for Pil- 
katrickl de war am done busted suah. [Laughs, etc.] 

Squire D. Jim, you rascal, what is the matter of you? 
Have you taken leave of what little sense you ever had? 
Come here, sir. 

Jim. Oh I Massa Dunham, go 'way, now. You don't 
know nuffin about it. You jest ought to been down town 
an' heerd de fuss dey's makin' down dar. Golly I flags 
flyin', drums beatin' and boys hollerin' and I don't know 
what all. Everybody's crazy, so I jist got crazy too. 

Squire D. Well, I should say you had. Come here and 
give me my papers and then see if you can keep quiet un- 
til I see what this fuss is about. 

Jim. [Feeling for the papers.] Oh! Ise a quiet nigger, 
lis. 

Squire D. Well! well! hurry up and give me the pa- 
pers. I'm in a hurry. 

Jim. Yas. [Aside.] So be I in a hurry. [Going through 
his clothes lively.] Now, whar's dem papers. 



50 COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 

Squire D. [Impatiently.] Come, come, Jim, be lively. 

Jim. Yes, Massa. [Finds paper in his hat. Aside.] Pa- 
per been up. [2'o D.] Daa's your paper, and now look 
heah. Missus Dunham, you and Missus Lottie better ^et 
ready to hold him for when he reads dat paper he's gwine 
to tear round I tell you, case dere's mighty good news in 
dar. [Hands paper to Dunham.] 

squire D. [Takes paper and reads— jumps up excitedly— 
,1iM falls down and rolls over two or three times, etc.] Hoora 1 
h ora! hip! hip! the best news I ever hearn. 

Mrs. D. Why, father, how you act. What's the matter? 

Squire D. Why, mother, the best news you ever heard. 
Listen: Richmond has fallen, I^ee has surrendered to 
Grant, and now the war will be over and our boy will be 
home again. 

Jim. [Aside.] I guess Massa Dunham mighty near 
leavin' his senses too. I knowed it would fotch him. 

Squire D. Jim, come here now; go over and tell Mrs. 
Bunker to come over 1 wish to see her. 

Jim. All right, Massa. [ExAt L. 2 e.] 

Squire D. Mother, it will not be long now until our boys 
return and we must be making preparations for a recep- 
tion. I have sent for Mrs. Bunker and you women folks 
can fix your plans for cooking and I will see to the out- 
door work. 

Mi's. D. Yes, father, Lottie has been very anxious to 
show me what she can do and now she shall have a chance. 

Lottie. That I will, mother, and you shall see that I can 
work too. [Enter Mariar and Jim l. 2 e.] 

Mariar. Good morning, folks. Squire, did you get your 
paper? 

Squire D. Yes, Mrs. Bunker and the war will be over 
now soon, and Jonathan will be home before you know it. 
[Knock at doori.. 2 e.] Jim, go to the door and see who's 
knocking. [Enter Jonathan m a rush'] 

Jon. I'm here. [All start up surprised. Maria goes to 
him— they embrace.] 
All. Jonathan I 



COLONEL HARRY ESTE8. 51 

Squire D. Why, Jonathan, I did not expect you so soon. 
We just heard of the surrender of Lee but had no idea that 
you would be home so soon. 

Jon. * * Six o'clock train. So you see I'm here. 

Lottie. Thank God. 

Squire D. Home at six o'clock, eh? Well, we must 
manage to receive them. Jim, come here you rascal and 
stop that grinning. I've got work for you the rest of the 
day. [Jim making motions as ij bloioing up his muscle.] I 
want you to go and fix up that picnic table on the lawn; 
ihen go to the lumber yard and order one hundred feet of 
inch boards and we will extend it. After you have that 
done go down into the cellar and roll up two of the best 
barrels of cider, and be careful that you don't drink too 
much when you sample it. 

Jim. [Measuring about two inches on his fingers.] Oh! 
no, massa, I don't drink much. 

Mrs. D. Well, Jonathan, I'm glad to see you looking so 
well, and how thankful I am that this cruel war is over. 

Jon. * * See how the old shanty looks. 

Squire D. Well, Jonathan, you and Mariar be over 
when the boys come, and we will have a jolly time. 

Jon. All right. Squire; come Mariar. [^ic^f Jonathan 
and Mariar r. 2 e.] 

Squire D. Well now, Jim, what did I tell you to do? I 
bet you have forgotten. 

Jim. Oh! no I aint, Massa. [Scratches his head.] 

Squire D. Well, what was it? 

Jim. You tole me to bring de lumber yard over on de 
lawn and put two barrels of cider on de nicpic table 

Squire D. Nonsense, blockhead I I told you nothing of 
the kind. But ne\er mind, I'll go with you. [To the la- 
dies.] Now, mother, you and Lottie work lively for the 
time is short 

Jim. Hoora! hooral jest wait a minute. [Throws up 
his hat. They all start. Enter Colonel Estes, throws his 
sword on the floor, embraces Lottie and kisses her, shakes 
hands with Squire D., then with Mrs. D.] 



■52 COLONEL HARRY ESTES. 

Squire D. Why, Harry, how's this? We did not expect 
you until six o'clock. 
Estes. * * 1 want you all to go with rae. 
Squire D. All right, Harry, my boy, we will all go. Mo- 
ther, you and Lottie get on your things and be ready to 
start at once. 

{Scene closes.] 
Scene II. 
Exterior. Bummer march, first soldiers march across stage, 
rout step — baiid plays, '■^Johnny comes inarchinq home. 
Soldiers pass around and march in again, headed by Colo- 
nel Estes, Captain Harkness, officers, etc.— band plays 
'"'■Yankee Doodle^ ^— march off at r. and form for Tableau. 
Scene III, 
Surrender of Lee. Tableaux on platform. 
[Curtain.] 

THE END. 



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